WomanTech is a black woman-owned Government Cyber Security Consultant Group with years of experience in assessing and IT consulting, based in Waldorf, MD. WomanTech specializes in crafting IT solutions for federal agencies with immense experience in developing and testing services such as UAT (User Acceptance Testing), IV&V (Independent Verification and Validation), and SIT (System Integration Testing). WomenTech IT Consulting Group has immense industry experience, having MBE and DBE certifications.
The black women-owned business is dedicated to service, proper education, and a reliable technical support system that ensures our clients get timely and efficient services. WomanTech strives to fully understand their clients’ needs to drive a successful SA&A outcome. With years of experience and the outstanding staff listen, evaluate, and validate all requirements to gain a clear understanding of our client’s expectations. WomanTech’s approach to delivering professional, innovative, punctual, and budget-friendly solutions is based on an honest partnership with our clients.
Q: Who inspired you to make the decision to do this career path?
Amanda: My individual inspiration to start WomanTech came from my desire to influence diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. Starting out, I had a particular focus on the presence/involvement of minority women in tech and continued to develop professionally. Technology is a lucrative industry and once I established the blueprint, I knew I had gained the capability to help out many people.
Q: What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?
Amanda: The driving force behind where I am today boils down to my faith, beliefs, consistency, and sacrifice. I really started to align myself because of my daughter. Being a single mother and knowing the life I desire for my family was all of the reasons to start moving mountains. I also had individuals in my life influencing me, supporting me, and encouraging me to dive in and get it done. My mother and mentor being very prominent figures in my life during that time aided in keeping my tunnel vision focused.
Q: Who and/or which things are the inspiration while creating any design?
Amanda: When creating the curriculum I am highly considerate of my student’s needs and feedback. Many of the students we train during the workshop are new to Cyber security and have never had any IT-related experience.
Q: How did you get into the technology sector?
Amanda: I ended up taking a course (the same one I now teach). I studied and consistently worked on my focus area of the Risk Management Framework. I also had a lot of trial and error when it came to actually get a job. But my willpower is what kept me confident through the process. Networking played a very important role as well because I exposed myself to opportunities by talking to people/making connections.
Q: Why do you think there are still so few females in the technology sector?
Amanda: I think people, in general, are just now recognizing the opportunity and doors that are opened when you have a career in tech. But mainly it’s the lack of exposure. People weren’t really talking about cyber security until our world started to change and technology became more innovative.
Q: What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
Amanda: Strengths- the ability to recognize someone else’s talents and then motivate them to explore and build on them. Also, the ability to adapt and the willingness to learn.
Weaknesses- there are always areas and needs for improvement and as those come up I just address them.
Q: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your chosen career?
Amanda: I would be mentoring youth in my community and searching for grant money for Off My Block. A 501(c)3 I started in 2015.
Q: Who do you admire the most? Why?
Amanda: No one in particular. I love the people around me and every person I cross paths with I find the good and influential parts of them.
Q: Where do you see WomenTech IT Consulting Group within the next 5 years?
Amanda: I see WT being completely built out as a multi-facet tech company that offers an array of services such as online training and procuring government client contracts, all while staying grounded in strong principles of diversity and inclusion.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Amanda: Commit and stay down with the process because the slightly older version of me will thank the current version of me immensely for the knowledge, sacrifice, and investments that I pursued in this endeavor.
Q: What’s next for you?
Amanda: Continue to execute the building of the brand and gain more exposure for WomanTech overall.
Visit WomanTech’s website today to learn more about their services. Follow WomanTech on Instagram & Twitter @WomanTech_IT, Facebook: @WomanTech.Official, and Linkedin: WomanTech IT Consulting Group.
